Everyday heroes arrive in a snap to keep holidays rolling

The facilities Song and his colleagues maintain provide power to a section of the Beijing-Guangzhou High Speed Railway, one of China's most important rail arteries.

Wearing ice cleats and holding iron-tipped staffs, they patrol the hill nine times a day to check on electrical wires and the relay towers. The four-member team is divided into two groups, which conduct the patrols in turns.

Earlier, heavy snowfall left a 20-centimeter layer of snow on the ground, so the company sent the maintenance team in as a precaution, in case the relay station became inaccessible.

The thick snow has made the team's patrols very difficult. "The rain, snow and heavy fog mean that our clothes become wet very soon, and there is also the freezing temperature to contend with," Song said. "It is also challenging to walk mountain roads, which are covered by snow."

He said, however, the team is proud of its work and has a heavy sense of responsibility to help people get home to see their families during Spring Festival by ensuring the electricity supply.

Song is unsure whether he will be able to go to Wuhan and reunite with his family during the holiday as the snow is expected to continue for several more days. "I am prepared to spend Spring Festival eve in the dormitory. I also hope that the weather improves soon and people can have an easier journey home," he added.

Although he is not good at swimming, police officer Liu Bin did not hesitate to walk into a freezing river around noon on Sunday after he received a report that a man had fallen into the river in Taoyuan county, Hunan province.

The county has experienced heavy snow since Friday. The man, aged in his 20s, slipped and fell into the river while walking on a bridge.

Residents called the police and Liu, who lives near the river, rushed to the scene. The man had been trapped in the water for more than 30 minutes and could barely move when Liu arrived. "I served in the military for two years, so I am not afraid to die, let alone of the cold," Liu said.

With the help of the man's mother, Liu successfully pulled the man from the water. He was sent to the hospital and is in a stable condition.

"Police are always on the front line during emergencies. That's why I decided to join the force," Liu said.